Only At The Boro

Being a Boro fan, one thing you can't complain about is life being dull down by the Riverside. Barely a day goes by without a story about how bad the North East weather is, or how players wives are unsettled. Although these "stories" are usually completely untrue and annoying, occasionally, you can't help but see the funny side.

Here are a selection of funny quotes found on various websites and newspapers.

I will be adding to this list as the season continues. It looks like being another interesting campaign and I wouldn't be suprised if we have more high profile arrivals, departures, court cases, points deducted, cup finals or relegations before the season is out so keep your eyes peeled !!

Boksic in shock "I love it here" revelation

Alen Boksic has revealed he quit international football so that he could concentrate on Boro's bid to stay in the Premiership.

The former Croatia star made the surprise decision to hang up his international boots in November, at the age of just 31. And Boro's big summer signing has broken his silence on the reasons behind that announcement, by declaring he wants to focus on bringing success to his new club.

"I told myself 'Alen, you must listen to your body - you don't need so many matches'," said the former Lazio star, who scored nine times in 33 games for his country. "And so I decided to concentrate on Middlesbrough. I love it here, and I want to play here."

Sander Westerveld's excuse for his boxing day blunder.

Liverpool goalkeeper Sander Westerveld has come up with an excuse for his Riverside blunder that handed struggling Middlesbrough a 1-0 Boxing Day win.

"The pitch at the Riverside had a lot of ice on it," said Westerveld. "My feet and gloves were soaking and it was unbelievably cold. You'd see the ball with ice stuck to it."

Hamilton Ricard, after being substituted with only half an hour gone against Ipswich

As he boarded the team coach after Saturday's Portman Road defeat, the Colombian striker told reporters:
"We play, we lose. Hamil come off, Hamil no score. No happy here."

Christian Karembeu, when asked about life at Middlesbrough

"Here, life is nice." said the Frenchman. "We have very beautiful landscapes and beautiful fish. I came from Genes on Ligure coast to Madrid, international megalopolis and then to Middlesbrough. I am like Captain Cook.

Bryan Robson speaks to reporters about Terry Venables

I don't know what is happening. I don't have a clue. All of this is a surprise to me.

Bryan Robsons explains why Alen Boksic's injury took four weeks longer than expected to heal.

"We thought he would be back quicker," said Robson. "But there is a slight misunderstanding about the injury because of language difficulties."